Escarpment: meaning, definitions and examples
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escarpment
[ ɪˈskɑːrp.mənt ]
geography
A long, steep slope, especially one at the edge of a plateau or separating areas of land at different heights.
Synonyms
bluff, cliff, cliff edge, precipice, ridge
Examples of usage
- The hikers stopped to admire the breathtaking view from the top of the escarpment.
- The river below flowed rapidly along the base of the escarpment.
- The city was built on the edge of an ancient escarpment.
- The escarpment provided a natural barrier between the two regions.
- The army positioned themselves on the escarpment to have a strategic advantage.
Translations
Translations of the word "escarpment" in other languages:
🇵🇹 escarpa
🇮🇳 खड़ी चट्टान
🇩🇪 Steilküste
🇮🇩 tebing curam
🇺🇦 урвище
🇵🇱 skarpa
🇯🇵 崖
🇫🇷 escarpement
🇪🇸 escarpa
🇹🇷 uçurum
🇰🇷 절벽
🇸🇦 جرف
🇨🇿 útes
🇸🇰 útes
🇨🇳 悬崖
🇸🇮 strma pečina
🇮🇸 klettur
🇰🇿 жарқабақ
🇬🇪 ფერდობი
🇦🇿 sıldırım
🇲🇽 escarpa
Word origin
The word 'escarpment' originated from the French word 'escarpement', which came from the Italian 'scarpare' meaning 'to shoe'. In military terminology, an escarpment referred to the defensive slope of a fortified position. Over time, the term evolved to describe any steep slope or cliff, particularly in a geographical context.